Eight changes for Lions

Eight changes for McGeechan's Lions for third and final Test

Last updated: 2nd July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Eight changes for Lions

Williams: Lions start

The players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks.

Ian McGeechan
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Ian McGeechan has made eight changes to his wounded Lions side as they look to restore some pride and end the tour of South Africa with a win in the third and final Test.

After two narrow and agonising defeats, the Lions have lost their series against the Springboks, but they will take a lot of credit with them after pushing the world champions all the way.

McGeechan is desperate to get a win from the final Test in Johannesburg on Saturday, but injuries have forced him into making numerous changes.

IRB Player of the Year Shane Williams gets a chance to start instead of Luke Fitzgerald, with Ugo Monye restored to the opposite wing after being dropped following the first Test.

With Brian O'Driscoll already on his way home, midfield partner Jamie Roberts has also been ruled out with a wrist injury and a new centre partnership with tackle the Boks.

Irish winger Tommy Bowe switches to outside centre to team up with England's Riki Flutey, while Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips retain their places at fly-half and scrum-half.

England props Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery take over from injured pair Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, while back-row changes see starts for Wasps flanker Joe Worsley and Wales openside Martyn Williams.

Challenges

The seven changes and one positional alteration mean just four players will have started all three Tests - fly-half Jones, scrum-half Phillips, skipper Paul O'Connell and number eight Jamie Heaslip.

McGeechan said: "A British and Irish Lions tour is a unique experience for players in the busy, modern professional rugby calendar. The 2009 Lions have thrown themselves into the spirit of the tour, have interacted with the people of South Africa and shown themselves to be great ambassadors for northern hemisphere rugby.

"As a squad they have met many challenges on the tour including playing two matches per week, the inevitable injuries and two narrow Test losses. Despite this they have remained a tight, focussed squad and I know those playing in the third Test will give their all to ensure that we achieve a victory on Saturday.

"It is fair to say injuries have had an impact on the tour as you would expect including selection for the Third Test as we were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday. However, the players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks. Last Saturday we were minutes away from winning and that is a huge positive to take into the third Test."

B&I Lions: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 John Hayes, 18 Alun-Wyn Jones, 19 David Wallace, 20 Tom Croft, 21 Harry Ellis, 22 James Hook.